Stress: The effects touch personal, professional and social aspects of life. Presentation Courtesy of Melissa L. Loudon BC Consultant

STRESS  The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it.

DISTRESS  The body’s reactions to prolonged stress.  This can translate to actions both inside and outside of the workplace.  Affects are no longer limited to you.

Negative Stress Relief  Using alcohol, cigarettes and drugs actually worsens the effects of stress.

Stress Statistics  43% of adults suffer adverse health effects from stress  75-90% of all doctors visits are related to stress  OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) declares stress a hazard in the workplace. In terms of lost hours due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, workers compensation claims stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually. In terms of lost hours due to absenteeism, reduced productivity, workers compensation claims stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.  The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.

Stress Links  Stress is linked to the leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. Men who respond most intensely to mental stress have a higher risk of blocked blood vessels, which increases their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study published in the Dec. 2 issue of the journal Circulation (Vol. 96, No. 11, p. 3842–3848). Men who respond most intensely to mental stress have a higher risk of blocked blood vessels, which increases their risk of heart attack and stroke, according to a study published in the Dec. 2 issue of the journal Circulation (Vol. 96, No. 11, p. 3842–3848).

Stress Links  Stress may take a toll on your health by affecting the strands of DNA on the ends of chromosomes, new research suggests. A report published online today by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that women with higher psychological stress levels have shorter telomeres, which play an important role in cellular aging. What is more, the difference between stressed study participants and the control group was equivalent to nearly a decade of additional aging. SCIENCE NEWS SCIENCE NEWS November 30, 2004 High Stress Levels Linked to Cellular Aging By Sarah Graham

Stress Management  First: identify stressors  Second: evaluate your level of stress and determine events that distress you  Third: remove yourself from situations when possible without avoiding life  Fourth: learn how to relieve stress

Stress Management  Exercise is essential in maintaining the physical capabilities to deal with stress  Deep breathing techniques can help to lower the blood pressure, pulse and (in conjunction with good eating habits) increase metabolism  Relaxation!

Relaxation Techniques and Cognitive Effects  A study on high school students with poor academic skills due to stress found that teaching relaxation techniques had a positive effect on grades. The effects of two types of relaxation training on students' levels of anxiety The effects of two types of relaxation training on students' levels of anxiety Adolescence, Spring, 1998 by Zulkifli Mohamed Rasid, Thomas S. ParishAdolescence, Spring, 1998 by Zulkifli Mohamed Rasid, Thomas S. ParishAdolescenceSpring, 1998Zulkifli Mohamed RasidThomas S. ParishAdolescenceSpring, 1998Zulkifli Mohamed RasidThomas S. Parish

Relaxation  In today’s society we feel guilty taking time for ourselves due to work, family, and social responsibilities.  The benefits of relaxatioin are proven, both physically and mentally, long and short term!

Positive Thinking!  Just like negative environments can have effects on stress so can negative thoughts.  Repeated negative thoughts WILL manifest themselves both emotionally and physically. Positive thinking: A skill for stress relief Positive thinking: A skill for stress relief Stress management requires a positive perspective — knowing how to turn pessimism into optimism.Stress management requires a positive perspective — knowing how to turn pessimism into optimism. MayoClinic.com June 2005MayoClinic.com June 2005

Create Relaxation Routines

Combine Physical and Mental Techniques  Example: take a warm bath using bath minerals for skin health and aromatherapy with meditation techniques  Soak your feet while using positive visual imagery DVDs or relaxation / music therapy CDs

Relaxation, a scheduled part of life!  It is a necessity just like Exercise Exercise Nutrition Nutrition Sufficient sleep Sufficient sleep  Be balanced Be Happy Be Happy Be Productive Be Productive Be Positive Be Positive

Stress Relief Websites    xation.htm xation.htm xation.htm 